helping old dog & new puppy bond?

[lindsay715]

Hi guys,

 I know a bunch of you have dogs, so maybe you’ll have some advice… my mother just got a Chihuahua puppy last weekend (Beau).  Also sharing the house is our 12 year old Shih Tzu (Reese) who has been with our family since he was a puppy.  He is a very mild, timid little guy.  Loves people, doesn’t seem to get much out of other dogs.  He is almost completely deaf.  Anyway, the two seem to have pretty similar personalities.  They are both quiet, not aggressive, love being in someone’s lap all the time, etc.

Of course there is no fighting or aggression between the two, but Reese generally avoids Beau 24/7.  Beau gets the message and doesn’t chase him, but when Beau is around Reese makes sure there is a lot of distance between them.  I don’t live at home anymore but when I visit I feel bad that Reese seems so underwhelmed by the situation.    Does anyone have advice/words of encouragement?  I have heard that this is pretty normal for the first few weeks.  I’m just worried that Reese feels betrayed and will never come around.  They do both sleep in the same bed with my mom, but on opposites sides… sigh.

 Thanks everybody!

Lindsay

[LabAgility]

The biggest thing is to keep spending time with both dogs, sans the other. Your oldster needs to adjust and needs to know that his place in the pack is still the same. Your youngster needs to bond with you, depend on you. This also aids in training.

Usually it does get better, but sometimes it won’t. My 5 month old lab pup has had blood drawn on her snoot twice, once requiring antibiotics because my 8 year old female loathes her. It’s just the way its going to be, at least for now. I keep them seperate and rotate them in and out, both sleep in crates, etc. It’s not the household I envisioned but I didn’t get the puppy to be her friend, I got the pup to be my friend and agility partner.

[MoveDiagonally]

If they’re not being aggressive I don’t see a huge issue. You said Reese “doesn’t get much out of other dogs” so it sounds like him not becoming best friends with Beau was pretty expected. They might never buddy up but as long as they’re not fighting and getting attention from their people they should be alright.

[lindsay715]

Yeah.. it’s a bummer though cos Reese won’t come downstairs unless Beau is in his crate. :/

[LBJ10]

Sounds like Reese is a typical grumpy old man. My dog is a grumpy old lady and doesn’t appreciate other dogs. As long as they aren’t aggressive with each other, I wouldn’t be terribly worried. Like LabAgility said, make sure that Reese’s spot in the pack is the same as it was before. When feeding and giving treats, it helps if Reese gets his first. Give them both attention, but give Reese the attention first.

[MoveDiagonally]

On the re-enforcing Reese’s position in the pack subject the sleeping arrangement is also something to consider. Generally the higher ranking dog will sleep closer to the pack leader (your mom).Maybe have Reese get up first so he can get comfortable before inviting Beau up. Like LBJ10 mentioned establishing pack order is a lot about who gets what first.

[lindsay715]

That’s true, I will mention that to her. I appreciate all of your advice so much, if anyone has anything to add please feel free! I think we have been inclined to baby Reese very much because he is very clingy and a bit neurotic about wanting to be with his family members constantly. I hope it will work out with him and Beau.

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